Country-Wide Spring 2024

Max Tweedie, Tutira, Hawke’s Bay and his wife Lucy run Hallmark Angus Stud.

Studies show that if you are kind to yourself you’re likely to do better in life. So why do we find it so hard to show ourselves self-compassion? Words Kathryn Wright.

Are dung beetles your new farm worker? Working round the clock, and paid in dung, dung beetles could be a valuable addition to the toolbox when it comes to improving soil health and water quality on our farms. Words Rebecca Greaves

The rural community are great at stepping up, helping out beyond their farm gate. These five legends are tackling arguably New Zealand’s biggest weed problem – wilding conifers. While some of us throw our hands in the air and call defeat, these farmers, foresters and fighters have taken on the problem and made it their own. As Ket Bradshaw puts it, together we can make a first step on something that is daunting. Words Jo Grigg.

When surplus capital is built up in the farm the instinct is often to buy the neighbouring block when it comes on the market. Words Angus Marks and Andrew Austin, Wealth Management, Jarden Wealth.

South Canterbury grower Nigel Rathgen has had difficult-to-eliminate grass weeds in some cropping paddocks for a few years. Words Heather Chalmers.

A paddock in Mid Canterbury is providing a platform for the Foundation for Arable Research to offer a glimpse into the future of arable farming. Words Heather Chalmers.

Farmers looking to implement a value-add business onfarm might want to consider looking into agritourism - with options such as self-contained holiday homes, glamping, and sunflower fields just to name a few. What you might consider ordinary on your farm, might just be extraordinary to an overseas or domestic customer.
But where do you get started? And does it really bring in enough revenue to make it worth it? Hear from three experts in both the consultancy and agritourism space, covering where to start, what to consider, and what the rewards are.

Taking the opportunity to join an Action Group with other like-minded farmers opened Malcolm White’s eyes to new ideas and different perspectives, while giving him the confidence to follow his own path.

Te Akau sheep and beef farmers Alastair and Ann Reeves were the Supreme Winners in this year’s Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Beef + Lamb New Zealand talk to them about their use of genetics to address animal health and environmental challenges, their farm system and community leadership. Photos Beef + Lamb New Zealand.